JEFFERSON, MO - Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit on July 29th against the Biden Administration for the Department of Homeland Security's failure to fulfill a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request demanding documents and communications regarding the transportation of illegal immigrants into Missouri.
In a post to X, Bailey wrote, "We have reason to believe they are deliberately flying illegal aliens from the border into our cities. Not on my watch."
As reported by Fox News, Bailey told the outlet that DHS has intentionally delayed any response to his office's FOIA request filed back in June 2022 about the air transport of illegal immigrants into Missouri. In the text of the lawsuit he explains:
"This game of ‘hide and seek’ violates the spirit and the letter of FOIA, which states that an agency shall withhold information only when the agency ‘reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption’ or if ‘disclosure is prohibited by law.’"
Bailey added, “Their most recent refusal to provide the truth about the flying of illegal immigrants into Missouri is just the tip of the iceberg. It reflects a larger pattern of deploying delay and diversion tactics to avoid producing documents legally requested under FOIA. Here in Missouri, we hold bad actors accountable when they refuse to obey the law, even the federal government. I will not stop until I obtain answers for Missourians.”
In the lawsuit, Bailey points out that the Department of Homeland Security's "lack of transparency and refusal to comply with lawful FOIA demands has hindered efforts by the Missouri Attorney General's Office to determine the size and scope of illegal immigration within the Show Me state."
It concluded, "The transportation of illegal immigrants into Missouri is a matter of public concern, and the citizens of Missouri have a right to know the facts behind these activities."
The State of Missouri is seeking a declaratory relief from the court to state that the Biden Administration has failed in its legal obligation under the Freedom of Information Act and to compel the Department of Homeland Security's compliance.
In a post to X, Bailey wrote, "We have reason to believe they are deliberately flying illegal aliens from the border into our cities. Not on my watch."
As reported by Fox News, Bailey told the outlet that DHS has intentionally delayed any response to his office's FOIA request filed back in June 2022 about the air transport of illegal immigrants into Missouri. In the text of the lawsuit he explains:
"This game of ‘hide and seek’ violates the spirit and the letter of FOIA, which states that an agency shall withhold information only when the agency ‘reasonably foresees that disclosure would harm an interest protected by an exemption’ or if ‘disclosure is prohibited by law.’"
In a statement issued by Bailey's office, he said “Once again, the Biden Administration is trying to stonewall and circumvent every aspect of the law in order to hide information from Americans."NEW:
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) July 30, 2024
https://t.co/88ngl0Q2RZ pic.twitter.com/1WBOPhOskF
Bailey added, “Their most recent refusal to provide the truth about the flying of illegal immigrants into Missouri is just the tip of the iceberg. It reflects a larger pattern of deploying delay and diversion tactics to avoid producing documents legally requested under FOIA. Here in Missouri, we hold bad actors accountable when they refuse to obey the law, even the federal government. I will not stop until I obtain answers for Missourians.”
In the lawsuit, Bailey points out that the Department of Homeland Security's "lack of transparency and refusal to comply with lawful FOIA demands has hindered efforts by the Missouri Attorney General's Office to determine the size and scope of illegal immigration within the Show Me state."
It concluded, "The transportation of illegal immigrants into Missouri is a matter of public concern, and the citizens of Missouri have a right to know the facts behind these activities."
The State of Missouri is seeking a declaratory relief from the court to state that the Biden Administration has failed in its legal obligation under the Freedom of Information Act and to compel the Department of Homeland Security's compliance.
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